ReviewCureus2026
Evaluating the Necessity of Deltoid Ligament Repair in Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The deltoid ligament provides medial ankle stability and resists external rotation, excessive pronation, and abduction by anchoring the medial malleolus of the tibia to the surrounding tarsal bones. It is frequently disrupted in ankle fractures, for which optimal management remains debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the current evidence comparing surgical repair versus non-repair of the deltoid ligament in adult patients with ankle fractures. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library identified prospective randomized controlled trials, with study selection conducted using Covidence by two independent reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving discrepancies. Five studies met the inclusion criteria and reported outcomes, including functional outcomes, postoperative complications, and return-to-work timelines. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in functional outcomes between repair and non-repair groups (mean difference (MD): 4.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.03 to 12.17; p = 0.24) or return-to-work time (risk ratio (RR): 1.02; 95% CI: 0.65-1.60; p = 0.93); however, complication rates were significantly lower in patients undergoing deltoid ligament repair (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.24-0.77; p = 0.004). While functional outcomes were comparable, deltoid ligament repair was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications, suggesting a potential benefit in selected patients, although larger randomized trials are needed to further define its role in ankle fracture management.
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